Suicide Rates

Data is for elderly residents 65 years and older and adolescents between the ages of 15-24. Data on the number and characteristics of suicide deaths in Arizona were obtained from the death certificates filed with the Arizona Department of Health Services.

In addition to reviewing medical examiner reports, Child Fatality Review Teams also review records from hospitals, emergency departments, law enforcement, Child Protective Services, and other sources. As a result of this comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, the team’s determination of cause and manner sometimes differs from those recorded on the death certificate. Modified counts of suicides for 2001 are not available.

Visualization Notes:

AZ posts a consistently higher rate of suicide for both adolescents and older adults as compared to the U.S. with older adults 65+ posting the highest rates among all ages groups. Arizona is #8 in the nation for older adult death by suicide (Area Agency on Aging, Region 1, 2009), and those over age 65 are the most at-risk age group nationally for suicide. Elderly white men continue to be the most vulnerable population. Mental-health professionals candidly offer opinions and possible reasons why Arizona is ranked so high: it has a large retiree and older-adult population; the state's paltry mental-health system; drug abuse; sizeable military veteran and Native American populations; the transient nature of Arizona; and the availability of firearms. Also isolation, dealing with chronic pain and/or the death of a significant other can all plunge elderly people into depression. Many will not seek mental health treatment due to stigma.